The Tuscaloosa County Commission could allow the sheriff's department to take over the metro animal shelter.

Wednesday morning, commissioners voted to give notice to terminate their contract with Metro Animal Shelter Inc. The group has run the shelter for more than 15 years.

Commissioner Jerry Tingle says he's received complaints about too many animals being put to sleep at the shelter. He also believes if the sheriff's department ran the shelter, there would be more accountability to the county.

"We want to move towards a more professional organization and get those euthanizations under control. We're just putting down way too many animals," Tingle said.

The county's contract with Metro Animal Shelter Inc. ends in April 2015. Because the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport also contribute money to running the shelter, they would also have to approve the change.